The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, describing it as a “brazen rigging” orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in collaboration with government-controlled agencies.
During a press conference at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Monday, PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, condemned the election results and demanded an immediate review by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He criticized the role of security agencies and election officials, alleging collusion between the APC, unpatriotic security operatives and INEC personnel to manipulate the electoral process.
“The 2024 Edo State Governorship election was barefacedly compromised by the APC, who colluded with security operatives and heavily procured INEC officials to trample on the votes of the people,” Damagum stated.
The PDP chairman referenced the party’s earlier warnings about alleged plans by the APC to subvert the electoral process, citing concerns about the actions of certain security officials, including AIG Zone 7, Benneth Igwe, and Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo.
Damagum also criticized the appointment of Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, whom he described as an “APC apologist,” as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State.
According to the party boss, PDP members and supporters were harassed, arrested, and detained by APC-aligned security forces, while electoral results were allegedly manipulated during the collation process.
He claimed that the true victor, PDP candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo, had his win overturned in favor of APC’s Monday Okpebholo.
“Despite the violence, intimidation, and manipulations by the APC, results from the Polling Units clearly show that our candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, won the election before the figures were altered at the State collation exercise,” he asserted.
The PDP unequivocally rejected the official results announced by INEC, asserting that they do not reflect the will of the Edo people.
Damagum called on INEC to review the election within the time frame allowed under Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and to announce the true results based on votes cast at the polling units.
Damagum urged Nigerians and the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Edo State and resist what he termed an “assault on democracy.”
He also encouraged Edo residents to remain steadfast as the PDP explores legal avenues to reclaim what he described as a stolen mandate.
“The people of Edo State clearly chose Dr Asue Ighodalo as their next governor, and their will must be respected. Our party will take every legal step necessary to retrieve this mandate,” he said.
Asked whether the party could depend on the judiciary to dispense justice on the election, Damagun the matter would definitely test the court’s readiness to do the right thing.
He said: “In this election, we shall still put to test once again the level of the preparedness of the judiciary to do justice where it is required.
“So, we cannot overrule a situation whereby justice will be dispensed but the most important thing is that we shall put them to more scrutiny before the eyes on Nigerians because they say that when the judicial system does not work, then you don’t have a country. I don’t know if we will still have a country.”
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